FR2951879A3 - Solar energy photovoltaic module junction box, has wire component provided with connecting terminal that is connected to another connecting terminal when base is closed with upper cover - Google Patents

Abstract

The box has a wire component equipped in an upper cover (2), and a connecting terminal equipped on a base (1). Openings are formed on the base, where the openings pass through a sheet metal connected to positive and negative ends of a solar energy battery board. The wire component is provided with another connecting terminal that is connected to the former connecting terminal when the base is closed with the upper cover. The wire component is equipped with a diode and a conductor comprising a pair of clips.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the field of electrical connectors, and in particular to a photovoltaic junction box (PV).

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART It is known that solar energy constitutes a type of renewable energy. The conversion of solar energy into electrical energy has many advantages, for example energy and energy savings. a reduction in environmental pollution. This energy conversion technology is therefore of great interest. A photovoltaic module of solar energy is one of the general devices for the conversion of solar energy into electrical energy. It essentially includes monocrystalline silicon, multicrystalline silicon, a thin-film solar cell, and so on. A PV junction box is generally adapted to be connected between the photovoltaic module of solar energy and the external energy storage device, so as to apply the energy of the photovoltaic module to an external energy storage device. In use, the PV junction box is attached to a solar cell panel, on which a major part of the connector assembly components (eg connection terminals, diode, etc.) is mounted, an upper cover being hermetically associated with the lower cover to retain the connector assembly therebetween. In a conventional PV junction box, a majority of the components of the connector assembly are mounted on the bottom cover, which is generally mounted firmly on the solar cell panel. After mounting the junction box on the solar cell panel, the bottom cover is thus virtually attached to the solar cell panel, its easy removal from it being difficult.

Within the framework of the above structure, the PV junction box often presents the following problems when the junction box has a fault or a fault in service, the whole of the solar cell panel, including the defective junction box. which is mounted, does not work properly. The conventional PV junction box thus has a high cost in use. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention. was made in. to overcome or reduce at least one aspect of the above disadvantages. It is an object of the present invention to provide a PV junction box including an upper cover and a lower cover, the major part of the components. junction box being mounted on the top cover, and the top cover being associated with the lower cover attached to the solar cell panel, so that the top cover is removably engaged in the lower cover. Another object of the present invention is to provide a PV junction box having a reduced cost in use. In one aspect, the. The present invention thus provides a DV junction box. The PV junction box 25 comprises: a lower cover; an upper cover, hermetically engaged in the lower cover; and a connector assembly; the connector assembly being arranged in the top cover; the lower cover having a first connection terminal. and. Having an opening formed therein adapted for the passage of metal foils respectively connected to positive and negative poles of a solar cell panel, the metal foils passing through the aperture being respectively in contact with the. The first connector terminal, and the connector assembly comprising a second connection terminal electrically connected to the first connection terminal when the lower cover is engaged and. of the top cover. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, one of the first and second connection terminals comprises a female part, the other of the first and second connection terminals comprising a male part, the male part being received in the female part. and connected thereto in the presence of an external pressure IO, applied during the mutual engagement of the lower cover and the top cover. The male part has in particular the form of a pin plate, the female part having the shape of a socket intended to be coupled to the pin plate. The connector assembly preferably further comprises a diode and a conductor adapted to secure the diode and electrically connected to the second connection terminal. The conductor more specifically comprises a pair of resilient members each having an end bent toward the other end to form a pair of opposed crimping surfaces to retain the diode therebetween, the two opposing crimping surfaces respectively having a slot, allowing insertion of the pins of the diode. The conductor and the second connection terminal are preferably integrally formed. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the top cover and the bottom cover 30 are further connected to each other by a . locking means, the locking means comprising a latch member arranged on the lower lid and a latching sleeve arranged on the top lid for engagement with the latch member. According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the PV junction box comprises

In addition to a sealing groove arranged around an outer periphery of the connector assembly and adapted to receive a sealing member. As can be seen from the above description, the PV junction box according to the present invention is minus the advantages below: in this PV junction box, most of the components of the connector assembly, for example the connection terminals, the diodes, etc., are arranged on the IO top cover, the top cover and the lower cover being engaged with each other in a detachable or removable manner. The top cover can thus be detached or released freely from the lower cover, as needed. According to the present invention, in case of faulty operation of the junction box. PV mounted on the solar cell panel, simply replace the top cover, having the bulk of the components of the connector assembly mounted therein, by a new cover, so that. prevent the replacement of the entire junction box or even the solar cell panel. The maintenance or use of the PV junction box thus presents a reduced cost. Compared with the prior art, the PV junction box according to the present invention further facilitates the engagement of the top cover and the bottom cover, simplifies the operating process, facilitates manufacture and repair, and enables reuse or recycle. This aspect, as well as other aspects and advantages of the invention will be well understood and appreciated on the basis of the description below. SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS Embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a schematic structural view showing a PV junction box according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. ; Fig. 2 is a schematic structural view showing a bottom cover of the PV junction box according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; the figure is a schematic structural view showing an upper cover of the PV IO junction box according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. ; FIG. 4 is a schematic partly enlarged sectional view of the PV junction box according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a state in which the lower cover and the top cover are hermetically engaged with one another; in the other. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate similar elements. The present invention may, however, take many different embodiments, and is not intended to be limited to the specified embodiments: these embodiments are described, rather with a view to further and complete the present description, to fully convey the concept. of the present invention to men of the art. Figures 1 to 4 show a PV junction box according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 is. more specifically, a schematic structural view of a PV junction box according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic structural view of a lid

6 of the PV junction box according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 is a schematic structural view of an upper cover of the Pb junction box according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 4 is a partly enlarged schematic sectional view of the PV junction box according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the inner portion of the junction box during the hermetic engagement of the lower cover and of. top cover. Figures 1 to 3 show firstly a pv junction box. According to the present invention, the PV junction box essentially comprises a lower lid 1, an upper lid 2 and a lid. connector assembly 3. The top cover 2 and the lower cover 1 are. hermetically engaged one into the other to retain the connector assembly 3 between them. The connector assembly 3 serves for the electrical connection between the solar energy photovoltaic module and the external energy storage device, for transmitting the energy of the solar energy photovoltaic module to the energy storage device. external, so as to ensure transmission of energy. The connector assembly 3 essentially comprises electrical connection components, e.g., connection terminals, diodes, etc., in the junction box. According to the preferred embodiment, these electrical connection components in the junction box are respectively electrically connected to the metal sheets 20, respectively coupled to positive and negative poles of a solar cell panel (not shown), and. an external matching device 90, coupled to the external energy storage positive diode (an outer cable 100 is illustrated here). For simplicity, the connector assembly 3 schematically encompasses connection terminals 10, 30, a conductor 21, and a diode 60. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the connector assembly 3 in the junction box includes a large number of connectors. number of different components, different from those described in the present description. According to the present invention, in the PV junction box, the majority of the components of the connector assembly 3 are arranged on the top cover 2 of the junction box. The connector assembly 3 includes, more particularly, second connection terminals 30, a conductor 1 and a diode 60. The lower cover 1 has a first connection terminal 10. The lower cover 1 has an opening 1a through which metal foils 20, 15 are respectively connected to positive and negative poles of a solar cell panel. The metal sheets passing. through the opening are respectively in contact with the. The second connection terminal 30 is electrically connected to the first connection terminal 10 when the lower cover 1 is engaged. of the top cover 2. The lower cover 1 of the junction box. Although PV is fixed on the solar cell panel, but the top cover 2, comprising most of the components of the connector assembly 3, can be detached from the lower cover 1, during a faulty operation of certain components ( for example of the diode 60), it is thus not necessary to replace the entire junction box or even the solar cell panel, the only operation required is to detach the top cover of the junction box from the junction box. With the lower cover 1 attached to the solar cell panel and subsequently retaining or replacing the defective components, the cost of maintenance or use of the junction box is significantly reduced.

According to the present invention, one of the first and second connection terminals 10, 30 has a female portion 10a, the other of the first and second connection terminals 10, 30 having a male portion 30a, the female portion 10a and the 30a male part being connected to each other due to pressure. external connection applied when engaging the lower cover 1 and the top cover 2. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figures 2 to 4, the. first connection terminal 10 comprises a female part 10a, the second connection terminal 30 having a male part 30a, the female part 10a of the first connection terminal IO receiving the male part 30a of the. second connection terminal 30 and engaging therein in the presence of an external pressure, applied during the mutual hermetic engagement of the lower cover 1 and the upper cover 1, so as to ensure the electrical connection of the first and second connection terminals 10, 30. In another preferred embodiment, the second connection terminal 30 arranged on the upper cover 2 d may also include the female part 10a, the first connection terminal 10 arranged on the lower cover 1 may comprise the male part 30a.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown in Figure 3, the male portion 30a. at. the shape of a plaTle to. pin, and, as shown in Figure 2, the female portion 10a is in the form of a socket for coupling to the pin plate. As shown in FIG. 4, the male part 30a, ie the pin plate, of the second connection terminal 30 is thus received in the female part 10a, that is to say the socket, of the first connection terminal 10 and connected thereto during the mutual engagement of the lower cover 1 and the upper cover 2, so as to ensure the connection

9 electric. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown in FIGS. 4, metal sheets 29, arranged in the opening 1a of the lower cover 1 and adapted to be electrically connected. at the solar cell panel, have one end of the sheet plate 20e, this end of the sheet plate 20a. being engaged in the. first connection terminal 10 in the presence of the external pressure, so as to ensure the electrical connection.

In the junction box P17 according to the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the connection terminal 30 further comprises a conductor 31 adapted to fix the diode 60 and electrically connected to the second connection terminal 30. As shown in Figure 3, the conductor 31 more specifically comprises a pair of resilient members 310, each having a bent end toward the other end, to form a pair of opposed crimping surfaces 31a, for retaining the diode 60 therebetween. The two opposite crimping surfaces 310a each have a slot 310b, allowing the insertion of pins from the diode 60. In another preferred embodiment, the opposite crimping surfaces 310e can be arranged respectively at both sides of the diode. 60, without holding its diode 60 between them. The conductor and the second connection terminal are preferably formed in one piece. The PV junction box according to the present invention further comprises a sealing member 40. The ring-shaped sealing member 40 is more specifically arranged at. the outside of the connector assembly 3 of the top cover 2, as shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 2, a sealing groove 40a is thus formed in the lower cover 1, around an outer periphery of the connector assembly 3, adapted to receive the sealing element 40. The sealing element 40 is thus received in the sealing groove

40a when mutual engagement of the lower cover 1 and the upper cover 2, so as to ensure the mutual hermetic engagement of the lower cover 1 and the top cover 2. It should be noted that any suitable hermetic structures can be adopted in view of the engagement of the top and bottom covers of the junction box according to. the present invention. The PV junction box according to the present invention further comprises a locking means adapted to engage lower cover 1 in the top cover 2. As shown in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings, the locking means more specifically comprises a lock member. 50a arranged on the lower cover and a snap-in socket 50b arranged on the top cover 2 for engagement with the latch member 50a, so as to ensure engagement of the top and bottom covers 1 and 2. In the PV junction box according to the present invention, the upper and lower covers 1 and 2 are thus engaged one into the other by the only locking operation of the locking means. This junction box. PV thus facilitates the engagement of the top cover and the lower cover and simplifies the operation process. The upper cover 2 can furthermore be detached from the lower cover 1 in the event of a defect or a malfunction. This PV junction box facilitates manufacturing and repair, allowing reuse of the bottom cover. The cost of maintaining or using the PV junction box is reduced. It should further be noted that any suitable locking structure, detachable or removable, may be adopted to ensure the engagement of the top and bottom covers of the junction box according to the present invention.

Certain exemplary embodiments have certainly been shown and described, but those skilled in the art will understand that various changes or modifications may be made to these embodiments, without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention. It should be noted that the term "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and that the terms "one or one" do not exclude a plurality.

Claims (8)

REVENDICATIONS1. PV junction box, comprising a lower cover (1) an upper cover (2), hermetically engaged in the lower cover (1); and a connector assembly (3); characterized in. the connector assembly (3) is arranged in the upper cover (2); the lower cover has a first connection terminal (IO) having an opening (1a) through which metal sheets (20) pass; respectively connected to positive and negative poles of a solar cell panel, the metal sheets (20) passing through the aperture (1a) being respectively in contact with the first connection terminal (10); and the connector assembly (3) comprises a second connection terminal (30) electrically connected to. the first connection terminal (10) when the lower cover (1) and the upper cover (2) are engaged with each other. 2. Junction box. PV according to claim 1, wherein one of the first and second connection terminals (10), (30) comprises a female part (10a), the other of the first and second connection terminals (10), (30) comprising a male part (10b), the female part (10a) and the male part (30a) being connected to each other in the presence of an external pressure applied during the engagement. mutuel of the lower lid 30 (1) and the upper lid (2) The PV junction box of claim 2, wherein the male portion (30a) is in the form of a plate. pin, the female part (10a) having the shape of a socket intended to be coupled to. the plate at. brooch. 35 The PV junction box of claim 1, wherein the connector assembly (3) further comprises a diode (60) and. a conductor (31) adapted to fix the diode (60) and electrically connected to the second connection terminal (30). The PV junction box of claim 4, wherein the conductor (31) comprises a pair of resilient members (310), each having one end bent toward the other end, to form a pair of opposing crimping surfaces ( 310a) for retaining the diode (60) therebetween, the two opposite crimping surfaces IO (310a) respectively having a slot (310b) for insertion of the pins of the diode (60) 6. PV junction box according to claim 4, wherein the conductor (31) and the second connection terminal. (30) are formed in one piece. 15 The junction box PI 'according to claim 1, further comprising a locking means adapted to engage the lower cover (1) in the upper cover (2), the means. locking device comprising a latch member (50a) arranged on the lower cover (1) and a snap-in socket (50b) arranged on the top cover (2) for engagement with the lock element (50a). ). The junction box PI 'according to claim 1 further comprising a sealing groove (40a) arranged around an outer periphery of the connector assembly (3) and. adapted to receive a sealing member (40).